U.S. patent application number 16/993740 was filed with the patent office on 2022-02-17 for toaster and control system for a toaster.
This patent application is currently assigned to CONAIR CORPORATION. The applicant listed for this patent is CONAIR CORPORATION. Invention is credited to KIN MAN LAI, ANTHONY KIT LUN LEUNG, LAI MAN TSE.
Application Number | 20220047116 16/993740 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-02-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220047116 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
LEUNG; ANTHONY KIT LUN ; et
al. |
February 17, 2022 |
TOASTER AND CONTROL SYSTEM FOR A TOASTER
Abstract
A toaster includes a housing having a slot for receiving a food
item, a heating element associated with the slot for toasting the
food item, a carriage assembly having a supporting rack movably
mounted in the slot for supporting the food item within the slot, a
first slider member connected to the supporting rack, and a second
slider member operatively connected to the first slider member, a
motor, and a driving member having a first end operatively
connected to the motor and a second end received in a slot in the
second slider member such that when the motor is driven to rotate
the driving member, the driving member drives the supporting rack,
via the first slider member and the second slider member, to
slidably move within the slot.
Inventors: |
LEUNG; ANTHONY KIT LUN;
(NORTH POINT, HK) ; LAI; KIN MAN; (NEW
TERRITORIES, HK) ; TSE; LAI MAN; (ABERDEEN,
HK) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
CONAIR CORPORATION |
Stamford |
CT |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
CONAIR CORPORATION
STAMFORD
CT
|
Appl. No.: |
16/993740 |
Filed: |
August 14, 2020 |
International
Class: |
A47J 37/08 20060101
A47J037/08 |
Claims
1. A toaster, comprising: a housing having a slot for receiving a
food item; a heating element associated with the slot for toasting
the food item; a carriage assembly having a supporting rack movably
mounted in the slot for supporting the food item within the slot, a
first slider member connected to the supporting rack, and a second
slider member operatively connected to the first slider member; a
motor; and a driving member having a first end operatively
connected to the motor and a second end received in a slot in the
second slider member such that when the motor is driven to rotate
the driving member, the driving member drives the supporting rack,
via the first slider member and the second slider member, to
slidably move within the slot.
2. The toaster of claim 1, further comprising: a pair of guide rods
including a first guide rod and a second guide rod vertically
positioned within the housing; wherein the first slider member and
the second slider member are slidably connected to the first guide
rod and the second guide rod.
3. The toaster of claim 2, wherein: the carriage assembly further
includes a third slider member slidably connected to the first
guide rod and the second guide rod; wherein the second slider
member is positioned intermediate the first slider member and the
second slider member; and wherein the second slider member and the
third slider member are configured such that downward movement of
the second slider member imparts a corresponding downward movement
of the third slider member.
4. The toaster of claim 3, wherein: the third slider member
includes an actuator member; wherein the toaster further includes a
switch controlling power to the heating element; wherein the
actuator member and the switch are positioned and configured such
that when the third slider member is driven downwardly by the
second slider member, the actuator member actuates the switch to
activate the heating element to initiate a toasting operation.
5. The toaster of claim 4, wherein: the switch is a leaf spring
power switch.
6. The toaster of claim 5, wherein: the third slider member
includes a first engagement member; and wherein the toaster further
includes an electromagnet; wherein the electromagnet is configured
to engage the first engagement member of the third slider member to
retain the third engagement member in a toasting position during
the toasting operation.
7. The toaster of claim 6, wherein: the third slider member is
connected to the first slider member through a plurality of
extension springs; wherein the extension springs are placed in a
loaded state when the third slider member is moved to the toasting
position; and wherein the extension springs are configured to move
the third slider member upward when the first engagement member is
disengaged form the electromagnet to deactivate the switch to
terminate the toasting operation.
8. The toaster of claim 1, wherein: the motor is one of a
synchronous motor, an AC motor, a DC motor or a brushless
motor.
9. The toaster of claim 2, wherein: the second slider member
includes an actuator member; wherein the toaster further includes a
switch controlling power to the heating element; wherein the
actuator member and the switch are positioned and configured such
that when the second slider member is driven downwardly by the
driving member, the actuator member actuates the switch to activate
the heating element to initiate a toasting operation.
10. The toaster of claim 9, wherein: the second slider member is
connected to the first slider member through a plurality of
extension springs; wherein the extension spring is placed in a
loaded state when the second slider member is moved to the toasting
position.
11. The toaster of claim 1, further comprising: a positioning
system including at least one position sensor associated with the
driving member and/or the motor and a control unit in communication
with the position sensor; wherein the position sensor is configured
to sense a position of the driving member and/or the motor.
12. The toaster of claim 11, wherein: the position sensor is one of
a plurality of micro switch sensors or a plurality of leaf spring
switches; and wherein the driving member is configured to actuate
the plurality of micro switch sensor or the plurality of leaf
spring switches, respectively, as the driving member is rotated by
the motor to indicate a position of the driving member to the
control unit.
13. A method for toasting a food item, comprising the steps of:
providing a toaster having a housing having a slot for receiving a
food item, a heating element associated with the slot for toasting
the food item, and a carriage assembly having a supporting rack
movably mounted in the slot for supporting the food item within the
slot; and with a control unit, and in response to initiation of a
toasting operation, moving the supporting rack to a lowered
position within the slot by actuating a motor to rotate a driving
member, whereby rotation of the driving member drives the
supporting rack, via a first slider member and a second slider
member, to slidably move within the slot.
14. The method according to claim 13, wherein: the second slider
member includes an actuator member; wherein the toaster further
includes a switch controlling power to the heating element; wherein
the actuator member and the switch are positioned and configured
such that when the second slider member is driven downwardly by the
driving member, the actuator member actuates the switch to activate
the heating element to initiate a toasting operation.
15. The method according to claim 15, further comprising the steps
of: actuating the motor to cause the driving member to downwardly
move the supporting rack, first slider member and second slider
member from a first position to as second position; and maintaining
the supporting rack and the first slider member at the second
position while moving the second slider member downwardly to a
third position.
16. The method according to claim 15, wherein: in the third
position, the actuator member actuates the switch to activate the
heating element to initiate the toasting operation.
17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising the step
of: after a predetermined time period, driving the second slider
member to the second position to disengage the actuator member from
the switch to deactivate the heating element.
18. The method according to claim 16, wherein: in the third
position, extensions springs interconnecting the first slider
member and the second slider member are in a loaded position.
19. A toaster, comprising: a housing having a plurality of slots
for receiving food items to be toasted; a heating element
associated with each slot of the plurality of slots for toasting
the food items; a carriage assembly having a plurality of
supporting racks, each supporting rack being movably mounted in a
respective slot of the plurality of slots, for supporting the food
items within the slots, a first slider member connected to the
supporting racks, a second slider member operatively connected to
the first slider member, and a third slider member operatively
connected to the first slider member; a motor; and a driving member
having a first end operatively connected to the motor and a second
end received in a slot in the second slider member such that when
the motor is driven to rotate the driving member, the driving
member drives the supporting racks, via the first slider member,
the second slider member and the third slider member, to slidably
move within the slots.
20. The toaster of claim 19, wherein: the third slider member
includes an actuator member; wherein the toaster further includes a
switch controlling power to the heating elements; wherein the
actuator member and the switch are positioned and configured such
that when the third slider member is driven downwardly by the
second slider member, the actuator member actuates the switch to
activate the heating elements to initiate a toasting operation.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to kitchen
appliances and, more particularly, to a motorized toaster and a
control system a motorized toaster.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Vertical toasters for browning and crisping a slice of bread
to produce toast have long been developed and widely utilized. Such
toasters typically have upwardly facing slots for receiving slices
of bread therein, heating elements along the sides of the slots for
toasting the slices in the slots, and a rack frame or carriage
which is adapted to support the bread slice therein for toasting.
The slices are movably supported in the toaster slots in such a
manner that they are capable of moving between a lower toasting
position and an upper operative position, wherein in the lower
toasting position, the carriage is lowered to activate the toaster
for toasting the slices in the carriage, and wherein in the upper
operative position, the carriage is raised for manual retrieval of
the toasted bread slice.
[0003] Such conventional toasters further include means for raising
the carriage from the lower toasting position to the upper
operative position. The raising means usually comprises a resilient
element, such as a compressive spring, mounted in the toaster case
and arranged to normally apply an upward urging force to the
carriage in such a manner that when toasting of the bread slice in
the toasting position is finished, the resilient element is
arranged to apply an upwards force to the carriage for raising it
from the lower toasting position back to the upper operative
position.
[0004] While existing vertical toasters are suitable for what may
be regarded as ordinary performance, there is a need in the art for
more precise control over the toasting operation and for
improvements in ease of use. For example, existing toasters may be
prone to jamming and are ill-equipped to accommodate different size
slices of bread, waffles, bagels, and/ or other food items. In
addition, there is a need for an improved control system for such a
toaster.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
toaster.
[0006] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
toaster having a motorized carriage assembly for raising and
lowering a food item to be toaster.
[0007] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
toaster having an improved control system.
[0008] These and other objects are achieved by the present
invention.
[0009] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a
toaster includes a housing having a slot for receiving a food item,
a heating element associated with the slot for toasting the food
item, a carriage assembly having a supporting rack movably mounted
in the slot for supporting the food item within the slot, a first
slider member connected to the supporting rack, and a second slider
member operatively connected to the first slider member, a motor,
and a driving member having a first end operatively connected to
the motor and a second end received in a slot in the second slider
member such that when the motor is driven to rotate the driving
member, the driving member drives the supporting rack, via the
first slider member and the second slider member, to slidably move
within the slot.
[0010] According to another embodiment of the invention, a method
for toasting a food item includes the steps of providing a toaster
having a housing having a slot for receiving a food item, a heating
element associated with the slot for toasting the food item, and a
carriage assembly having a supporting rack movably mounted in the
slot for supporting the food item within the slot, and, with a
control unit, and in response to initiation of a toasting
operation, moving the supporting rack to a lowered position within
the slot by actuating a motor to rotate a driving member, whereby
rotation of the driving member drives the supporting rack, via a
first slider member and a second slider member, to slidably move
within the slot.
[0011] According to yet another embodiment of the invention, a
toaster includes a housing having a plurality of slots for
receiving food items to be toasted, a heating element associated
with each slot of the plurality of slots for toasting the food
items, a carriage assembly having a plurality of supporting racks,
each supporting rack being movably mounted in a respective slot of
the plurality of slots, for supporting the food items within the
slots, a first slider member connected to the supporting racks, a
second slider member operatively connected to the first slider
member, and a third slider member operatively connected to the
first slider member, a motor, and a driving member having a first
end operatively connected to the motor and a second end received in
a slot in the second slider member such that when the motor is
driven to rotate the driving member, the driving member drives the
supporting racks, via the first slider member, the second slider
member and the third slider member, to slidably move within the
slots.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The present invention will be better understood from reading
the following description of non-limiting embodiments, with
reference to the attached drawings, wherein below:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a front, perspective view of a toaster according
to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 2 is front, perspective view of a carriage assembly of
the toaster of FIG. 1.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a rear, perspective view of the carriage assembly
of FIG. 2.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a front, perspective view of a portion of the
carriage assembly of FIG. 2.
[0017] FIG. 5 is an exploded, perspective view of the carriage
assembly of FIG. 2.
[0018] FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of a control system and
control logic of the toaster of FIG. 1.
[0019] FIG. 7 is a front, perspective view of a portion of a
positioning system of the toaster of FIG. 1.
[0020] FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of the positioning system
of FIG. 7.
[0021] FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration showing operation of the
carriage positioning system of FIG. 7.
[0022] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a carriage positioning
system according to another embodiment of the invention.
[0023] FIG. 11 are front elevational views of the carriage assembly
illustrating operation thereof.
[0024] FIG. 12 are perspective views of the carriage assembly
illustrating operation thereof.
[0025] FIG. 13 are front elevational views of the toaster of FIG.
1, illustrating operation of the carriage assembly.
[0026] FIG. 14 is a front, perspective view of a toaster according
to another embodiment of the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 15 is a rear, perspective view of a leaf spring power
switch of the toaster of FIG. 14.
[0028] FIG. 16 is front, perspective view of a carriage assembly
for a toaster according to another embodiment of the present
invention.
[0029] FIG. 17 is a rear, perspective view of the carriage assembly
of FIG. 16.
[0030] FIG. 18 is a front, perspective view of a portion of the
carriage assembly of FIG. 16.
[0031] FIG. 19 is an exploded, perspective view of the carriage
assembly of FIG. 16.
[0032] FIG. 20 is a schematic illustration of a control system and
control logic of the toaster of FIG. 14.
[0033] FIG. 21 are front elevational views of the carriage assembly
illustrating operation thereof.
[0034] FIG. 22 are perspective views of the carriage assembly
illustrating operation thereof.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0035] Referring to FIG. 1, a toaster 10 according to an embodiment
of the present invention is illustrated. The toaster 10 includes a
housing 12 having at least one vertically oriented slot 14 having
an upwardly-facing opening 16 for receiving a food item such as a
slice of bread. Each slot 14 includes a heating element 18
positioned on at least one, and preferably both, opposing sides of
each slot 14 for browning, heating and/or crisping a food item
within the slot 14. The toaster 10 also includes a carriage
assembly 100 associated with each slot 14 for supporting the food
item within the slot and for selectively raising and lowering the
food item within the slot 14 under control of a motor and control
unit.
[0036] FIGS. 2-5 more clearly illustrate the configuration of the
carriage assembly 100. The carriage assembly 100 includes at least
one, and preferably two, bread supporting racks 102, 103 mounted in
the toaster slots 14 in a vertically movable manner. The supporting
racks 102, 103 are configured to support food items such as a slice
of bread, and to raise and lower the slices of bread within the
slots 14 under control of the control unit, as discussed in detail
below. As shown therein, the carriage assembly 100 further includes
a first slider member 104, a second slider member 106 and a third
slider member 108 operatively connected to one another in the
manner hereinafter described. The supporting racks 102, 103 are
fixedly connected to the first slider member 104 and moveable
therewith. The first slider member 104 is connected to the third
slider member 108 via at least one, and preferably two, extension
springs 109, 110. The second slider member 106 is positioned
generally intermediate the first slider member 104 and the third
slider member 108, as described hereinafter.
[0037] As best shown in FIG. 5, the first slider member 104
includes a pair of opposed windows or relieved areas 111, 113
within which opposed linkage arms 112, 115 of the second slider
member 106 are received, and within which the linkage arms 112, 115
are vertically moveable, as discussed below. The second slider
member 106 also includes a horizontally-oriented slot 114 located
below the linkage arm 112, the purpose of which will be described
below. The third slider member 108, for its part, includes an
upwardly-facing contacting surface 116 for contacting engagement
with the second slider member 106, a first engagement member in the
form of a hook lock 118 located beneath the contacting surface 116
at a general midpoint of the third slider member 108, and a switch
actuator in the form of a finger 120 connected to a one end of the
third slider member 108.
[0038] The first slider member 104, second slider member 106 and
third slider member 108 are each slidably connected to at least
one, and preferable two, vertically-oriented guide rods 122, 123
which may be considered to form part of the carriage assembly 100
such that each of the first slider member 104, second slider member
106 and third slider member 108 are vertically moveable along the
guide rods 122, 123.
[0039] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the toaster 10 includes a driving
motor 124 mounted within the housing 12 for producing a rotational
force of predetermined magnitude. In an embodiment, the motor 124
may be a servo motor or synchronous motor whose rotational force
can be controlled by electrical power inputted through a motor
control circuit implemented in the housing 12. In an embodiment,
the motor 124 may be an AC motor, a DC motor or a brushless motor,
although other types of motors and driving mechanisms may also be
utilized without departing from the broader aspects of the
invention.
[0040] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the toaster 10 further includes a
crank or driving member 126 having a first end connected to the
motor 124 and a second end received in the slot 114 of the second
slider member 106. As disclosed hereinafter, when the driving motor
124 is actuated to rotate the driving member 126, the driving
member 126 drives the supporting rack 102 (via the first, second
and third sliding members 104, 106, 108) to slidably move along the
toaster slot 14 between an upper position and a lower toasting
position.
[0041] In connection with the above, and as described more fully
below, the toaster 10 and/or carriage assembly 100 further includes
a positioning system including a position switch 128 operatively
connected to the motor 124 for sensing or detecting a position of
the crank 126, an electromagnet 130 and a power switch 132 which,
in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5, may be a leaf spring power switch.
FIG. 15 shows a more detailed illustration of the leaf spring power
switch 132 according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0042] With reference to FIG. 6, a schematic illustration of a
control system 150 for the toaster 10 is illustrated. As
illustrated therein, the toaster 10 may include a user interface
having a plurality of buttons, switches and/or dials for selecting
toast modes, shades, etc. For example, the interface may include a
toast switch/button 156 and a toast shade dial 158 in communication
with the control unit 160. As also shown therein, the position
switch 128 is also electrically connected or otherwise in
communication with the control unit 160 for sending signals
indicative a position of the motor 124 and/or crank 126 to the
control unit 160. In particular, the control system 150 utilizes
the position sensor 128 and a triac 162 to control the driving
motor 124, as described hereinafter. The control system 150 may
also include a switch mode power supply circuit 164 instead of a
transformer.
[0043] With further reference to FIG. 6, and as indicated above,
the control system 150 includes the leaf spring switch 132 and
electromagnet 130 which are utilized to control the heating
elements 18. This is in contrast to conventional toasters which
typically utilize two relays to control the heating elements. The
control system 150, however, may also include a relay 166
controllable via the control unit 160 for safety protection to cut
off power to all heating elements 18 in the case of failure. In
addition, the control system 150 may include a relay 168 for a
bagel toasting function, as disclosed hereinafter.
[0044] Referring now to FIGS. 7-9, more detailed views of the motor
124 and position switch/system 128 is illustrated. As shown
therein, the position switch/system 128 includes a plurality switch
sensors (e.g., sensors 170, 172, 174) and the crank 126 may has
projection 178 that is configurated to actuate each switch sensor
as the crank 126 rotates under control of the motor 124. The
control unit 160 is able to determine the position of the slider
assemblies and supporting racks based upon which switch sensor has
been actuated by the projection 178 of the crank 126. In an
embodiment, the switch sensors 170, 172, 174 may be micro switches.
In other embodiment, the switch sensors may be leaf spring
switches, although other types of switches/sensors may also be
utilized without departing from the broader aspects of the
invention. In addition, while three switch sensors are illustrated,
more or fewer than three switch sensors may also be utilized to
provide more (or less) precise control over the positioning of the
carriage assembly 100 and supporting racks 102, 103.
[0045] FIG. 9 illustrates the position of the crank 126 in various
toasting modes. For example, Position 1 shows the
position/orientation of the crank 126 before and after a toasting
operation. At Position 1, the projection 178 of the crank 126
actuates the first switch sensor 170, indicating to the control
unit that the supporting racks 102, 103 are in a raised position.
At Position 2, the crank 126 has been rotated by the motor 124 such
that the projection 178 of the crank 126 actuates the second switch
sensor 172, indicating to the control unit 160 that the supporting
racks 102, 103 are in a toasting position. Finally, at Position 3,
the crank 126 has been rotated by the motor 124 such that the
projection 178 of the crank 126 actuates the second switch sensor
174, indicating to the control unit 160 that the heating elements
18 can be energized to commence toasting.
[0046] With reference to FIG. 10, in an embodiment, the positioning
system may alternatively include a plurality of leaf spring
switches (e.g., switches 180, 182, 184) and the crank 126 may
likewise have a projection 178 that is configurated to actuate each
leaf spring switch as the crank 126 rotates under control of the
motor 124. The control unit 160 is able to determine the position
of the slider assemblies and supporting racks based upon which leaf
spring switch has been actuated. Namely, the leaf spring switches
provide a position signal to the control unit 160 indicative of the
orientation of the crank 160 (and thus the slider assemblies and
supporting racks). While three leaf spring switches are
illustrated, it is contemplated that more or fewer than three leaf
spring switches may be utilized to provide a greater (or lower)
level of control over the positioning of the carriage assembly.
[0047] Turning now to FIGS. 11-13, operation of the carriage
assembly 100 during a toasting operation is illustrated. Position 1
in FIG. 11 shows the position of the slider members 104, 106 108
before commencing a toasting operation. A shown therein, upon
actuating the toast button/switch 156, the rotational output of the
motor 124 drives the second slider member 106 downward along the
guide rods 122, 123 via engagement of the distal end of the crank
126 in the slot 114 of the second slider member 106. As the second
slider member 106 moves downwardly, it contacts the upwardly-facing
contacting surface 116 of the third slider member 108, thereby
urging the third slider member 108 downward as well. Due to the
connection of the third slider member 108 with the first slider
member 104 via the extension springs 109, 110, this downward
movement of the third slider member 108 thus causes a corresponding
downward movement of the first slider member 104 and connected
supporting racks 102, 103 along guide rods 122, 123.
[0048] As shown in FIG. 11, the first slider member 104 and the
supporting rack 102 stop the bottom of the chassis in a position in
which the slice of bread carried by the supporting rack 102 is
received fully in the slot 14 for toasting. This position is shown
as Position 2 in FIGS. 11-13. The second and third slider members
106, 108 keep moving downwardly as the motor 124 continues to drive
the crank 126, against the bias of the extension springs 109, 110
(which are loaded as the third slider member 108 keeps moving
downwardly under urging from the second slider member 106 as the
first slider member 104 remains stationary). As the third slider
member 108 moves downwardly along the guide rods 122, 123 the
actuator finger 120 of the third slider member 108 contacts the
leaf spring switch 132 at the bottom-most position of the second
slider member 106 and third slider member 108. In response to
actuation of the leaf spring switch 132 by the finger 120, the
control unit 160 energizes the electromagnet 130 to engage the hook
lock 118 of the third slider member 108 to retain the third slider
member 108 in its lowermost position, as illustrated by Position 3
in FIGS. 11-13.
[0049] The motor 124 continues to drive the second slider member
106 via engagement of the end of the crank 126 in the slot 114 of
the second slider member 106. In particular, the motor 124 drives
the second slider member 106 to move upwardly along the guide rod
122 (back to Position 2) while the third slider member 108 is
retained in its bottom position via engagement of the hook lock 118
by the electromagnet 130 to continue the toasting operation. At
this point (i.e., once the leaf spring switch 132 and electromagnet
130 are actuated, and the second slider member 106 is returned to
Position 2), the control unit 160 activates the heating elements 18
to toast the food item within the slot 14.
[0050] At the end of the toasting operation, the electromagnet 130
is disengaged under control of the control unit 160 and the motor
124 drives supporting racks 102, 103 upwardly along the guide rods
109, 110. In particular, as the motor 130 urges the second slider
member 106 upwardly via engagement of the distal end of the crank
126 in the slot 114 of the second slider member 106, the linkage
arms 112, 115 of the second slider member 106 moves upwardly within
the windows 111, 113 of the first slider member 104 until it
contacts the first slider member 104, urging it (and the connected
supporting racks 102, 103) upward to Position 1. The third slider
member 108 follows via the interconnection between the first slider
member 104 and the third slider member 108 via extension springs
109, 110. Importantly, as the third slider member is moved
upwardly, the finger 120 disengages from the leaf spring power
switch 132, which causes the control unit 160 to deactivate the
heating elements 18, ending the toasting operation.
[0051] In the event that the first slider member 104 or third
slider member 108 are jammed, the electromagnet 130, being turned
off, would release the hook lock 118 of the third slider member 108
as indicated above. Once the electromagnet 130 disengages the third
slider member 108, the extension springs pull up on the third
slider member 108 even in the event of a jam. This upward force
generated by the extension springs 109, 110 causes the finger 120
to disengage from the leaf spring power switch 132, causing the
control unit 160 to deactivate the heating elements 18. In an
embodiment, it is contemplated that the heating elements 18 may be
directly controlled via activation/deactivation of the leaf spring
power switch 132 rather than being controlled via the control unit
160. As indicated above, the auxiliary relay 166 can cut off power
to all heating element 18 in the event of mechanism failure.
[0052] Turning now to FIGS. 14, a toaster 50 according to another
embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The toaster 50
is similar to toaster 10, where like reference numerals designate
like parts. The toaster also includes a carriage assembly 200
similar to carriage assembly 100. With reference to FIGS. 16-19,
the carriage assembly 200 includes a pair of supporting racks 102,
103 for supporting two separate slices of bread or other food
items. In particular, each supporting rack 102, 103 may be
positioned in a respective slot 14 in the housing and fixedly
connected to a single first sliding member 202. As illustrated, the
carriage assembly 200 includes a first slider member 202 and a
second slider member 204 operatively connected to one another in
the manner hereinafter described. The supporting racks 102, 103 are
fixedly connected to the first slider member 202 and moveable
therewith. The first slider member 202 is connected to second
member 204 via a pair of extension springs 109, 110.
[0053] As best shown in FIG. 19, the first slider member 202
includes a pair of projections or tabs 206, 208 that are received
in corresponding window openings 210, 212 in the second slider
member 204. In an embodiment, the components may be reversed such
that the second slider member 204 has the projections and the first
slider member 202 has the window openings that receive the
projections. The second slider member 204 also includes a
horizontally-oriented slot 214 and a switch actuator in the form of
a finger 216 laterally positioned with respect to the slot 214. The
first slider member 202 and second slider member 204 are each
slidably connected to a pair of vertically-oriented guide rods 122,
123 which may be considered to form part of the carriage assembly
200 such that each of the first slider member 202 and second slider
member 204 are vertically moveable along the guide rods 122, 123.
As will be appreciated, the carriage assembly 200 is generally
similar to carriage assembly 100, however, the component parts have
been simplified so that two slider members are utilized instead of
three. In particular, the finger 216 for actuating the leaf spring
power switch 132 has now been integrated into the second slider
member 204 (and the third slider member omitted). In addition, the
electromagnet for engaging a hook lock has also been omitted.
[0054] With reference to FIG. 20, the control system 250 for a
toaster 10 having the carriage assembly 200 is substantially
similar to control system 150 of FIG. 6, where like reference
numerals designate like parts. Rather than having a leaf spring
switch and electromagnet, however, the control system uses only a
leaf spring switch 132 (actuated by the actuator finger 216 of the
second slider member 204 to control the heating element 18.
[0055] Operation of the carriage assembly 200 will now be described
with reference to FIGS. 21 and 22. Upon pressing the toast
button/switch 156, the motor 124 drives the second slider member
204 down from Position 1 to Position 2 via the crank 126 received
in the slot 214 of the second slider member 204. The second slider
member 204 then pulls the first slider member 202 downward via the
extension springs 109,110 which interconnects the first slider
member 202 and the second slider member 204. Similar to the
embodiments described above, the first slider member 202 and
supporting racks 102, 103 stop at Position 2, which is the bottom
of the chassis and the proper position for toasting. The second
slider member 204 keeps moving downwardly to Position 3 until the
finger 216 of the second slider member 204 actuates the leaf spring
power switch 132. Upon actuation of the leaf spring power switch
132 by the finger actuator 216, the control unit 160 controls the
motor 124 to stop and actuates the heating elements 18 to commence
toasting. After toasting, the control unit 160 once again actuates
the motor 124, which drives the first slider member 202 and the
second slider member 204 upward to Position 1 (via engagement of
the tabs 206, 208 in the window openings 210, 212).
[0056] Similar to the embodiments described above, in the event of
a jam, the motor rotates and pulls the second slider member 204 up
to Position 2 to disengage the finger 216 from the leaf spring
switch 132 to turn off the leaf spring switch 132 and heating
elements 18. In addition, as noted above, the control system 250
includes a relay 166 for redundant safety protection, which cuts
off all the heating elements in the case of mechanism or motor
failure.
[0057] The various embodiments of the present invention described
herein therefore provide for a motorized toaster having a control
and positioning system that provides for the precise control over
food item positioning and toasting, as well as allowing for various
food items, regardless of size, to be automatically positioned for
ease of removal after a toasting operation. In addition, the
toaster and carriage assemblies of the present invention obviate
the need to use relays for motor and heater control. Moreover, the
toaster of the present invention provides an anti-jam function in
the case a food item is jammed in the toaster slot, which
automatically cuts power to the heating elements in the event of a
jam.
[0058] Although this invention has been shown and described with
respect to the detailed embodiments thereof, it will be understood
by those of skill in the art that various changes may be made and
equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without
departing from the scope of the invention. In addition,
modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or
material to the teachings of the invention without departing from
the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the
invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed in
the above detailed description, but that the invention will include
all embodiments falling within the scope of this disclosure.
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